Minister Petitpas Taylor to promote Atlantic Canada’s fish and seafood sector at Seafood Expo North America

From: Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

News release

March 10, 2023 · Moncton, New Brunswick · Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

Atlantic Canada’s fish and seafood sector is a vital part of the region’s economy and character. It’s an engine for economic growth and trade, supports food security, and is a key employer in rural communities across the region. As global demand is on the rise, the Government of Canada is committed to working with entrepreneurs and innovators to grow Atlantic Canada’s fish and seafood exports.

The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), will travel to Boston March 12-14, 2023 to promote Atlantic Canada’s fish and seafood sector at Seafood Expo North America (SENA), North America’s largest seafood marketplace. The minister will be leading a delegation of 39 Atlantic Canadian companies that will attend SENA to develop sales and seek new market opportunities. View the full list of companies from Atlantic Canada attending SENA.

By promoting the sector, building connections, and advocating for the region, Minister Petitpas Taylor is championing Atlantic Canadian businesses taking part in this signature industry sales event. While in Boston, she will also engage key partners and stakeholders, including firms in the Canadian Technology Accelerator, trade officials, as well as New England business leaders and industry representatives.

Helping Canadian companies increase sales and find new opportunities to grow their business is a priority for the Government of Canada. ACOA is committed to working with Atlantic Canadian companies to help build a more resilient, diversified and inclusive economy that works for everyone.

Quotes

“Gatherings like SENA 2023 are an incredible opportunity to promote Atlantic Canadian businesses working to increase exports to markets across North America. Atlantic Canada is well known for its world-class quality fish and seafood, as well as new innovations in processing and product development that are strengthening our competitive advantage.”

-       The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA

Quick facts

  • Atlantic Canada’s fish and seafood sector includes fish harvesting, aquaculture, and processing activities. The region’s main export products include lobster, crab, shrimp, salmon, scallops and halibut.

  • Global fish and seafood exports from Atlantic Canada reached $6.2 billion in 2022, approaching the record set in 2021 when exports reached a high of $6.7 billion. Atlantic Canada’s fish and seafood exports were worth $6.17 billion in 2022, representing 72% of Canadian exports in the sector and over 14% of overall exports from Atlantic Canada.

    • In 2022, over 60% of Atlantic Canadian fish and seafood exports were destined to the United States.
    • Nova Scotia is the largest Atlantic exporter in the sector ($2.60 billion), followed by New Brunswick ($1.84 billion), Newfoundland and Labrador ($1.24 billion), and Prince Edward Island ($488 million).
    • Lobster represented the largest exports from the sector in Atlantic Canada with $2.65 billion in value in 2022, followed by crab at over $1.5 billion.

  • Total employment in Atlantic Canada’s fish and seafood sector stood at nearly 30,000 in 2021.

  • This year’s Seafood Expo North America (SENA) event includes 39 companies from across Atlantic Canada.

  • Through the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program, ACOA is providing a $200,000 non-repayable contribution to the Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association to help the pan-Atlantic delegation of seafood exporters exhibit at the Atlantic Canadian pavilion and develop sales during Seafood Expo North America (SENA).

  • In 2021-22, ACOA invested over $27 million in 88 projects in the fish and seafood sector.

Associated links

Contacts

Marianne Blondin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Official Languages and of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Marianne.Blondin@acoa-apeca.gc.ca

Media Relations
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
mediaroom-salledesmedias@acoa-apeca.gc.ca

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2023-03-10